Amsterdam Weather (& More About Binders Than You Wanted To Know)
Well, this forecast looks pretty good. I'd been seeing highs of 88º and 90ºF in the Times-Picayune's international weather reports and was despairing of my plans to wear jackets, long-sleeved shirts, jeans, binders without the sweat factor, etc. Plus it's always nice to get away from the fat mad hen of a New Orleans summer. What say you, Amsterdammers -- do I need to bring two wardrobes or not?
Speaking of wardrobes, trans guys, please don't almost kill yourself with your binder like I almost did last week. The Underworks Extreme Chest Concealer is my favorite, but the medium is just a little too big, and the small is just a little too small. "Without discomfort of tummy compression" apparently means "pressing on that sensitive notch right under your breastbone and pushing all your guts into your lower abdomen." Unfortunately, I didn't discover the latter until I wore it out to dinner last week. It felt OK when I put it on, but shortly after finishing a delicious meal, I started getting hot flashes and waves of nausea and red swirliness and went into the restroom and passed out. My friend had to come and help me out of the place, and I felt sick for three days afterward. I didn't figure out why until I put the binder on again Monday and started feeling the same way within five minutes. Chris had to help me get it off. A tight binder actually feels good on my back, which surprised me when I started wearing them, but my stomach doesn't care for it at all. I've lost weight lately and the medium simply isn't binding anymore -- it just looks like an undershirt -- so I did manage to modify the small to be more comfortable by cutting off the bottom of the lower front panel and the neck, as well as slitting the sides so it didn't compress my ribs so much. The fabric doesn't fray, at least not yet (after one washing).
As Chris said, it's a learning experience, but I'd prefer not to lose consciousness in any more restaurants if I can help it.
Speaking of wardrobes, trans guys, please don't almost kill yourself with your binder like I almost did last week. The Underworks Extreme Chest Concealer is my favorite, but the medium is just a little too big, and the small is just a little too small. "Without discomfort of tummy compression" apparently means "pressing on that sensitive notch right under your breastbone and pushing all your guts into your lower abdomen." Unfortunately, I didn't discover the latter until I wore it out to dinner last week. It felt OK when I put it on, but shortly after finishing a delicious meal, I started getting hot flashes and waves of nausea and red swirliness and went into the restroom and passed out. My friend had to come and help me out of the place, and I felt sick for three days afterward. I didn't figure out why until I put the binder on again Monday and started feeling the same way within five minutes. Chris had to help me get it off. A tight binder actually feels good on my back, which surprised me when I started wearing them, but my stomach doesn't care for it at all. I've lost weight lately and the medium simply isn't binding anymore -- it just looks like an undershirt -- so I did manage to modify the small to be more comfortable by cutting off the bottom of the lower front panel and the neck, as well as slitting the sides so it didn't compress my ribs so much. The fabric doesn't fray, at least not yet (after one washing).
As Chris said, it's a learning experience, but I'd prefer not to lose consciousness in any more restaurants if I can help it.
No comments have been added yet.
